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Royals, Sanchez shoot for series victory in Anaheim

Apr 8, 2012 - 2:30 PM (Sports Network) - When the Royals acquired Jonathan Sanchez, they added a starter to their rotation with a no-hitter on his resume.

Kansas City would simply settle for Sanchez pitching them to a series victory this afternoon over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who start another pitcher with a no-hitter to his credit in Ervin Santana.

Sanchez will make his Royals debut after being acquired from the Giants on Nov. 7 in a deal that sent Melky Cabrera to the Bay. After a 13-win season during the Giants' World Series-winning 2010 campaign, injuries limited the left-hander to a 4-7 mark and 4.26 earned run average in 19 starts.

Sanchez, who picked up his first career complete game with a no-hitter versus the Padres on July 10, 2009, will be making his third career appearance and second start versus Los Angeles and first an Angel Stadium. The 29-year-old lost that lone start n June 16, 2009, giving up six earned runs over 3 2/3 innings.

The Angels turn to Santana this afternoon with the righty coming off arguably one of his best major league seasons. Though he went only 11-12 in a career high-tying 33 starts, he set personal bests with a 3.38 ERA and 228 2/3 innings pitched. The right-hander's 178 strikeouts were the second-highest total of his career and he highlighted the campaign when he no-hit the Indians on July 27. It was a unique no-no as the 28-year-old was actually charged with an unearned run in the milestone.

Santana is 5-5 with a 4.80 ERA in 13 career starts versus the Royals.

Kansas City drew even in this series on Saturday with a 6-3 win. Jeff Francoeur had two hits and drove in a pair of runs, while Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both connected on solo homers after the Royals were blanked 5-0 in Friday's opener.

Luke Hochevar lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and two runs for his first career victory over Los Angeles.

"That's a good ballclub over there and not an easy lineup," Hochevar said. "I had to execute with quality pitches. I stayed within my plan."

Bobby Abreu drove in two runs and Vernon Wells knocked in the other for the Angels. Dan Haren was saddled in the loss for allowing 11 hits and five runs over 5 1/3 frames.

"When you put balls up in the zone, it's a recipe for disaster," Haren admitted. "I just never really go into a rhythm."

Kansas City won seven of its 10 matchups with the Halos a year ago.